Author: Cameron Summerson / Source: reviewgeek.com
If you’re a cyclist, then you may have toyed with the idea of indoor training, but just haven’t gotten around to it. Maybe you don’t know where to start, or hate the idea of riding indoors.
Whatever the reason, we’re here to help you get over any hurdles you may be facing when it comes to indoor cycling.
But before we get into the details, I need to make one thing clear: we’re talking about indoor cycling here, not spin classes or exercise bikes (like a Peloton, for example)—those are two completely different things.We’re going to focus on indoor cycling with a “real” bike and a trainer—a device that’s used to ride your outdoor bike inside. And that’s the first place where you’ll start—but it’s also just the tip of the iceberg.
Also, I want to touch on a common misconception about indoor training: it’s not just for cold weather! Some people use indoor trainers all year round to stay strong or fit in workouts when time is short. You may be looking to invest in something like this for the cold months where there is a clear benefit, but you’d be shocked at how beneficial it can also be in the spring, summer, and fall. In all honesty, there’s no better way to get fast—indoor training, when done properly, is far more efficient than outdoor riding.
A Good Trainer ($200-$1600)
This is by far the biggest thing you’ll need to buy to start indoor cycling—you already have the bike, you just need a way to ride it indoors. And for that, there is a range of products to choose from.
We already have a guide on the best bike trainers you can buy for various disciplines, and at a range of price points, so I’ll point you in that direction for an in-depth look at the different kinds of trainers and what you get at each price point.
For now, I’ll just reiterate what was originally said in that piece. If you’re looking to get a good trainer that will last for ages and won’t break the bank, get the Kinetic Road Machine Smart. It’s a fantastic fluid trainer and worth every penny of its $300 price tag.
If you’re looking to get into the smart trainer game, the Wahoo Kickr Snap is an excellent wheel-on trainer with controlled resistance over Bluetooth for superior training quality.
And if money is no object, the Tacx Neo Smart (shown above) is the best trainer on the market today. At $1400 it’s also incredibly pricey, but it’s quiet, efficient, and provides one of the most “realistic” road experiences you’ll find in a trainer.
A Trainer Wheel and Tire (Optional, $150-200ish)
If you opt to go for a wheel-on designed trainer like the Road Machine Smart or Kickr Snap, it’s a good idea to also get a separate trainer wheel and tire.
The reason for this is two-fold. First, you need a trainer tire for your trainer. While you can try to use your regular road tire, the trainer will absolutely destroy it in no time. Road tires just aren’t designed for that sort of wear and tear. Also, if you’ll be riding a mountain or cyclocross bike on the trainer, those tires will be insanely loud. A trainer tire is quiet.
Secondly, separate wheels makes it easy to switch back and forth between indoor and outdoor rides. If you train indoors all year round, a quick wheel swap is all it will take to go from the trainer to the road—but that’s also at a higher cost. You’ll need the wheel itself, as well as a cassette for that wheel—for folks that aren’t hardcore cyclists but are reading…
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